South Kasai

South Kasai was an unrecognized Central African country that existed from 1960 to 1962 during the Congo Crisis. With its capital at Bakwanga, the diamond-rich region of South Kasai seceded with Congolese National Movement (MNC) leader Albert Kalonji as its President, exiting from Congo-Leopoldville due to fears of ethnic conflict. South Kasai was militarist and repressive, and it received support from the government of Belgium. On 30 December 1961, Kalonji was arrested by the Leopoldville government, and United Nations and Congolese troops occupied South Kasai. In September 1962, Kalonji was ousted in a military coup, and the final arrival of government troops that same month led to South Kasai's independence coming to an end.